The coach and former skipper delivered a heartfelt speech during a presentation to James Milner at the training complex.
Players and staff celebrated Milner’s record-breaking 654 Premier League appearances.
Crofts told them: “This moment over the last couple of weeks has inspired us as a team for the rest of the season even more.
“When everybody knew that James Milner was coming to Brighton football club, the feeling that gave everybody was this excitement.
“I couldn’t believe it and the lads felt the same way.
“I get to play and train with James Milner?
“I get to share a locker room with James Milner?”
He then told Milner: “That feeling you give to people is because of the effort you have put in for such a long period of time.
“I would think you were 18 years old wanting to show everybody what a big career you might have.
“We know how talented you are, we know what a top career you have had but the man you are for me sets you apart.”
Crofts’ words put into perspective the aura Milner has among fellow professionals and maybe brought back memories of an eye-catching loan signing late in the 2009-10 season.
That was when Aston Villa’s Lee Hendrie joined for the end of the campaign with the Seagulls mid-table in League One and playing at Withdean.
As he arrived for his first training session, Poyet told his squad: “…ing hell boys, we’ve got Lee Hendrie!”
The obvious difference was that Hendrie was dropping down two divisions while Milner was joining a group of players at the same current level as himself.
But his track record spoke volumes.
There was also a presentation to Milner in the Albion boardroom after the Nottingham Forest game by Albion chairman Tony Bloom and deputy Paul Barber.